Complete the following sentences using can, may, might or could. Note that can and may are used in the present tense. Could and might are used in the past tense.
1I'm a strong swimmer, so I ............... swim across the river without any help.
Wrong!
Use "can" to talk about present ability.
2............... you lift this box?
Wrong!
Use "Can" to ask about someone's ability to do something.
3............... I come in?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use "Can" or "May" to ask for permission, with "May" sounding more formal.
4............... I borrow your bicycle?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use "Can" or "May" to ask for permission, with "May" sounding more formal.
5Take an umbrella; it ............... rain later.
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use "may" or "might" to show that rain is possible later.
6............... this be true?
Select 2 answers.
Wrong!
Use "Can" or "Could" to ask whether something is possible, with "Could" sounding less direct.
7That's impossible! It ............... be true.
Wrong!
Use "cannot" to say that something is impossible or unbelievable.
8............... you find love and happiness!
Wrong!
Use "May" in formal wishes and blessings.
9I ............... swim across the river when I was young.
Wrong!
Use "could" to talk about general ability in the past.
10She said yesterday that she ............... come to the party if she had time.
Wrong!
Use "might" after the past reporting verb "said" to show possibility.
Exercise complete
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Answers
- I’m a strong swimmer, so I can swim across the river without any help.
- Can you lift this box?
- Can / May I come in?
- Can / May I borrow your bicycle?
- Take an umbrella; it may / might rain later.
- Can / Could this be true?
- That’s impossible! It cannot be true.
- May you find love and happiness!
- I could swim across the river when I was young.
- She said yesterday that she might come to the party if she had time.